A NEW government animal welfare Bill that does not cover wild animals was described as a “rushed and haphazard” U-turn by Labour yesterday.

The draft Bill, which would introduce jail sentences of up to five years for those who abuse animals, was published after a row over whether protections relating to animal sentience would be kept in domestic law after Brexit.

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas had sought an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, but MPs voted it down as they argued that such recognition already exists in British law, prompting outrage on social media.